Asset Servicing Solutions to Undergo Fundamental Shift in the Next 5 Years

Despite the great financial crisis of 2008 and various economic turmoil, a huge percentage of asset managers still fail to bring the future into focus, according to PwC’s “Asset Management 2020: A Brave New World.” However, the constantly changing industry landscape will continue to shape asset servicing solutions and they will be significantly different over the next five years.

The primary factor that could trigger the need for modernized asset servicing strategies is the increasing number of investable assets. PwC states that about $64 trillion worth of assets today could rise to $102 trillion by 2020, given a compound growth rate of almost 6%.  “As global economies become increasingly integrated and interdependent, regional AuM is influenced by GDP growth in other regions,” the report said.

While majority of the assets will still be concentrated in the United States and Europe, new star players include the SAAAME economies—South America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East—with mass affluent clients and the global middle class as the key drivers of growth.
“The global middle class is projected to grow by 180% between 2010 and 2040, with Asia replacing Europe as home to the highest proportion of middle classes, as early as 2015,” added the report.

Because of these factors, the industry is challenged to bring in new financial products for a young and growing constituency. Mutual funds are also expected to take center stage, fueled by the growing middle-class investors that are preparing themselves for retirement and wealth accumulation.

Aside from the rising number of assets, perpetually increasing operational costs are seen as inevitable forces that could change asset servicing landscape. Regulatory charges will remain at the core and AM fees will be questioned even more by discerning investors, despite the ongoing efforts of asset managers to increase transparency and comparability.

With this scenario, there will be greater need to invest on technology and data management. As a result, costs of asset servicing will continue to increase, but margins will remain lower. Profits today are still 15%–20% below their pre-crisis highs – according to industry analysis – and it is debatable whether they will have reattained these levels by 2020,” explained PwC.

In between the rising assets and costs is the stronger demand for risk management, and technology is seen as the saving grace of asset servicing solutions in the following years. Cloud computing and more transparent online dashboards will be more imperative to establish better communication between the investors and third-party vendors. However, the role of technology could even go beyond that.

“In reality, while risk analytics and decision support tools are part of the suite of systems that asset managers and asset owners use, a core function of asset servicing technology is to support a massive exercise in data management and information processing,” explained BlackRock.

With a more challenging landscape that the AM industry has to face, an ideal financial partner has a constant eye on the future, offering asset servicing solutions that utilize state-of-the-art-technology.

Best Wedding Gowns for a Dreamy Hamptons, New York Garden Wedding

Hunting for the gown is no easy task for brides out, especially if it’s for an intimate garden wedding in US’ most romantic destinations like the Hamptons, New York. Women need to consider the weather, the motif of the wedding, and even the landscape or the location.

Below are the top wedding gown picks this season.

Halter wedding gown. Halter neck wedding gowns feature a classic cut that can be worn in  all seasons (but perhaps with a wrap for winter). This gown highlights the neck, the chest and the shoulders, creating an elongated illusion of the body and making it appear leaner. This gown can also be styled by adding a bolero or a cape, of a fabric that complements the bodice.

Empire cut chiffon wedding dress. This traditional style wedding dress puts the spotlight on the women’s upper body, with a cut emphasizing the lady’s chest area. There are different options for the decolletage: it can be a simple tube, sweetheart neckline, or v-neck, among others. If the bride has a smaller frame, an off-shoulder design will emphasize the shoulders and make the neck look longer. Brides who are expecting also favor this cut, since it does not create pressure on the abdomen and hip areas.

Scoop lace long wedding dress. This type of wedding gown is one of the most suitable wedding dresses for garden-themed weddings. With its light fabric and feminine detail, it lends the bride a sultry yet timeless look . The lace also works well with accessories like flower headbands, bracelet or corsages, which are staples for weddings scheduled during the warm seasons.

Crepe and tulle wedding ballgown. This run-down will not be complete without a crepe and tulle wedding gown in a ballgown cut. This gown is a favorite among younger brides as it brings a carefree vibe along with a royal or queenly touch to whoever is wearing it – just the way most of them want to feel on their big day. Crepe hugs the body in a flattering way, but it is light enough for the summer bride. Similarly, tulle creates volume, but does not add much weight, making it ideal for this season’s garden weddings in the Hamptons, New York.

The key is to strike a balance between comfort and style, while also allowing the bride’s personality to shine. This way, this most special of days can be both memorable and enjoyable.

SMO Strategy: What Makes a Blog Entry Popular?

Virality has become the holy grail in the age of social media. SMO experts/content managers become hard-pressed to understand what tickles the fancy of their target audience, and develop that kind of content accordingly.

Companies that have since created blogs are asking this question: What makes an entry popular? Here is a list of characteristics of today’s most visited sites:

Short and sweet content. Very few people have the patience to read through long content. And if they are unable to finish it, they will be less confident about sharing it with the others, too. Good blogsites feature very readable content, often less than 500 words per entry.At the same time, they should contain truly educational content, so that people will be inclined to share it.

Very accessible.Blog posts should have a very accessible language, one that is not very technical or written as if to be read by experts.Some websites accomplish this – or create the impression of it – by providing content in bullets form. This way, the blog features only several points, which perfectly sum up what would otherwise be elaborate ideas.

Good photographs. It is a visual era we are now in. People like seeing images along with their text, to capture their imagination some more. Blog entries should always be accompanied with photographs or illustrations – and in today’s age, there is no excuse for them not to be! All over the Internet, content managers can find free images – from infographics, to stock photographs, to charts and graphs. Anything that breaks the monotony of blocks of text is good: it gives the reader’s eyes more white space, while also giving their mind a rest from comprehending words.

Catchy headlines. Composing headlines is an art. One needs to generate enough interest and pique people’s curiosity, by having a good balance between providing information and drawing them in. A fishing metaphor is apt here: You need to dangle a bait that attracts your prospective readers, but not so obviously that they realize it is a tackle.

Evokes extreme emotions. People consume content often with the intent to feel. They are then more likely to be drawn to (and share to their own networks) articles and posts that trigger extreme emotional reactions. Content creators then need to ask themselves this question each time they are working on a blog: How does this entry make me feel? Sad? Angry? Overjoyed? If they find that it is not evoking any of these emotions, then they must be doing something wrong.

For more advice on creating viral content, companies should consult with social media marketing experts.

Volatility Creates Hedge Fund Marketing Opportunity

Hedge fund marketing will get more traction this year as fund managers turn to complex hedge fund strategies to make profit despite surges in the market’s volatility.

The past year has not been stellar for hedge funds. October 2014 saw a lot of hedge fund managers losing their entire year’s gains. Despite this, recent surveys reveal that hedge fund strategies have been attracting investors who seek riskier approaches that are advantageous during periods of high market volatility, as is predicted for 2015.

In particular, some hedge funds benefited from their strategies when prices fell down. Those who scored high at the end of last year gained their returns by benefiting from falling shares. This hedge fund characteristic of being able to make returns whether prices are going up or down is the major attraction for investors.

The growing interest in risk-managing hedge fund strategies looks like it is more than a passing trend. The market volatility is a product of the end of the U.S. Federal Reserve's post-crisis asset purchase program and its effects will be felt for a while, as already demonstrated by the fall of a lot of oil assets.

According to one manager with more than $100 billion in assets under management, a lot of investors who previously had had no investment in hedge funds are now showing interest. They know very well that these strategies have been demonstrated to perform well when there is increase in volatility and there is more stock dispersion.

For example, the first half of 2014 showed that betting on both price gains and falls, also know as the "long-short" hedge fund strategy, resulted to about 10% returns. This, together with the strategy of betting on mergers and acquisitions, yielded returns bigger than the industry has seen in any full year since the 2008 financial crisis.

The Short of It

It is the job of fund managers to insulate portfolios from big economic downturns, but some criticize them for their high fees. Their management charges and commission can only be justified when they consistently show their ability to pull in returns and protect the portfolio.

Some investors are being cautious when choosing which hedge fund strategies to employ. It seems that the ability to bet on price falls are winning the most more followers in times when gains are more elusive because of a highly volatile market.

According to one global hedge fund manager, the long-short strategy has been a great way to hedge against the market correction and it will contribute to hedge fund services’ growing popularity this year. Hedge fund marketing can take advantage of this opportunity by pitching this strength to investors who fear the market’s volatility and seek insulation from it.

Dining With Your Workmates at a Hamptons Restaurant

Perhaps you got assigned to set up a meeting with a client at a Hamptons restaurant. Or you are hosting a night-out with the newbies. Or your boss wanted to treat you but asked you to plan the dinner. Whichever the case, dining with colleagues or superiors from work can be a tricky affair.

Here are some tips to get you through this task.

Make proper reservations (promptly). Proper reservations is not just about telling a restaurant that you’re coming. It means telling them exactly how many are expected, what time you’ll arrive, what seats or area of the venue you’d like to have (VIP area? The bar?), what kind of an office gathering you’d like (sit-down dinner? Or just cocktails?), among other details. If possible, you can also ask information on their bestsellers, and even order ahead. This means less time that you and your colleagues will spend waiting for something to munch on.

Be wise in planning the menu. Know what they want to eat: ask them what they’re allergic to, or if they’re vegetarian, or if they’re on a weight-loss diet. If everyone will be pitching in to pay for the bill, ask them as well what their budget is. If you’re feeling extra generous and want to impress your colleagues, you may opt to treat them to one fancy dish, or a bottle of fine wine. But if a boss is coming with you, tread carefully and check the situation before trying to impress them all.

Go easy on the alcohol. Yes, you’re technically out of your office. And yes, you are not spending this time in your official capacity as an associate at your law firm, or an account manager at your advertising agency. Still, dinners with colleagues still require you to be on your guard. This means going easy on the alcoholic beverages, as you do not want to be remembered as “that employee who passed out drunk at the Hamptons restaurant.” Whether you like it or not, your workmates and especially the bosses will still have their eyes on you, and the impression you make will inevitably affect your relationship with them at the office.

Relax. On the day of your dinner, be alert, but relaxed at the same time. If you’re not relaxed, you will be clumsy and prone to make such classic blunders as spilling wine on your shirt, or stepping on your boss’s foot. On the contrary, being relaxed lets you go through your meal with ease, and the attitude will likely rub off on your companions.

Marketing Materials and Brand Positioning

For them to significantly contribute to the achievement of sales goals, marketing materials need to be rooted in the company’s market positioning.

Market positioning means presenting a brand’s offering so that it attains a distinct and desirable position in the minds of the target consumers as opposed to its competitors. In short, the objective is for the product to be perceived as different from the rest, especially if it is only one of a thousand of a customer’s options.

A brand’s position is based on the way customers evaluate its attributes. Before planning the content and look of marketing materials, companies should first determine their positioning strategy. Said process begins with identifying their competitive advantage, or the value that they actually offer the customers.

Safeguard, for instance, enjoys a good recall when it comes to germ protection, as opposed to other soap brands like Dove, whose positioning is based on providing moisture. But aside from product differentiation, positioning can also be based on service, channel, people, and image differentiation. Two mobile phone brands may offer more or less the same features, but one can differentiate itself by delivering more ubiquitous repair services or better customer care (service differentiation). Two auto manufacturers may have similar models, but their dealership may differ in terms of accessibility or competence (channel differentiation).

A brand usually possesses more than one difference from its competitors, but in positioning, a company picks the more important differences to promote. Marketing experts state that product attributes can be a weak differentiator, because it can always be offered by the competitor, too. Instead, companies must work to associate a brand with a desirable benefit, or even better, strong beliefs and values. For example, a brand of detergent can position itself as not just as the powerful cleanser (product attribute) that can make your clothes look new (benefit), but also as the tool of a practical, smart, and reliable homemaker (strong belief).

The objective is to present oneself as bringing customers the most benefit, through what is called the brand’s “value proposition” based on the benefit-price matrix. The dream is to be able to say “more (value) for (less) cost,” but it is also desirable to say “more for more,” “more for the same,” “the same for less,” and “less for much less.”

The end goal is a positioning statement, which should be reflected in the marketing materials, including print and broadcast advertisements, signages, and communication and visibility guidelines.

A Briefer on Hedge Funds

With the recent SEC crackdown on some famous hedge funds, there has been a growing interest in these mysterious-sounding entities. Read on the learn more about what they are and what they do.

What exactly are they?

Hedge funds are an organization, usually in the form of privately held companies whose sole purpose is to grow their clients’ initial investment by taking advantage of movements in the price of financial instruments. Despite their name, most hedge funds today do not, in fact, “hedge” their risk and instead rely on an incredibly diverse number of strategies to make money. The first hedge fund is believed to have been started during the U.S. bull market of 1920s.

What types of strategies do they use?

The varieties of strategies that hedge funds use are as numerous as there are funds. Most have been started by financiers who believed that they had an “edge” over the rest of the market. Many hedge funds execute both short and long trades, meaning their bets on the increasing value of an instrument will equal in number to their bets on the decreasing value of an instrument. Some hedge funds may focus on equities, or stocks, while others may focus on commodity futures and options. There are some whose strategies depend on more exotic instruments, such as market volatility indices.

Aren’t hedge funds and mutual funds the same?

Although both types of funds aim to grow their clients’ account value, hedge funds tend to be more aggressive in their trading strategy. Another major difference between a mutual fund and hedge funds is the fact that mutual funds do not usually make bets that the value of that instrument will go down, or “short” instruments, whether it be a stock, futures contract, or governments bonds. On the other hand, hedge funds usually try to do whatever they can do gain an advantage over other market participants, including shorting financial instruments.

So how can I get in on the action?

Most hedge funds are not accessible to the general public. Some also require that you have some minimum amount of disposable assets, usually starting at a minimum of $100,000. Furthermore, hedge funds do not usually advertise their services, limiting knowledge of their existence. To learn more about the financial possibilities that await you when you invest in hedge funds, consult an asset management company – one that is equipped with state-of-the-art management software, and boast of compliance to the industry’s strict regulations.

Hamptons Wedding Venues: Indoor or Outdoor?

Are you currently scouting Hamptons wedding venues? One of the biggest questions you have to face is whether you would like an indoor or outdoor wedding. Here are some of the points to consider in making this big decision.

The guest list. Is it going to be a big, or a small wedding? If you want a simple ceremony leading to a sit-down reception for about twenty people, an indoor space may be all you need, although nothing stops you as well from holding it a la Miranda Hobbes in Sex and the City, in a small garden. Or like Carrie Bradshaw in the movie, who rented the New York Public Library for a guest list of 200.

Think of your theme. Do you fancy an opulent wedding that’s Great Gatsby-esque? An indoor venue will be easier to execute, décor-wise. Or would you like a more laid-back beach wedding? Obviously you need to hold it outside, where you and your future husband can probably look at where the sun strikes the sea as you get married. A rustic get-together in a barnyard, meanwhile, can be held inside or outside.

How is the weather and season? When do you want to hold your wedding? While the weather forecast for the specific date is impossible to know a year ahead, you need to prepare contingency measures in case it rains on your big day. If it will be on fall or winter, an indoor wedding may be more ideal, but may be you’d like the colors of autumn or the enchanting snow-covered trees and ground to be your wedding’s backdrop. You can still hold it outside, for as long as your guests are protected from the elements. After all, Phoebe Buffay in Friends was able to pull a winter wedding off, on a day a blizzard hit New York (although they most likely held the reception indoors)!

Keep in mind the special touches you want. Sometimes it all boils down to the little things you would like to see or have for your party. Maybe you’d like to be outside to dance under the moonlight with your groom, or watch fireworks mark the day of your union. Or maybe you want to listen to an orchestra play your favorite songs, in a room with good acoustics. Then an indoor space is the ideal pick.

The Southampton Social Club of New York is one of today’s finest Hamptons wedding venues. Whether you intend to hold your wedding it indoors or outdoors, they can serve as your perfect venue for this special day.

Are Wealth Managers Missing the Mark by Shunning Social Media Marketing?

There is no doubt that social media is a powerful marketing platform for many businesses. However, is there a place for more traditional, conservative businesses such as wealth management companies on platforms like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram? Historically, financial service companies such as wealth management firms have shied away from implementing a social media marketing campaign. However, they are also missing out on marketing to potential customers who are ripe to begin establishing the financial habits that will secure a more stable financial future.

The financial services industry is a highly regulated industry that has typically shunned social media for a number of reasons including trust concerns associated with both security breaches and reputation control. However, are wealth management companies limiting their ability to expand and grow by opting out of wealth management marketing on social media?

Customer Service and Target Audience

It’s no secret that today’s youth are probably the least educated in terms of their finances and probably the one demographic that is the most need for sound financial guidance. They also live life online. Experts agree that the key target demographic for wealth management companies are recently graduated and just getting started in their professional lives. However, while wealth management companies understand the need to reach out to these individuals, they are disengaged from the social media platforms that provide the path to their front doors.

By instituting a wealth management marketing campaign and building a following on Twitter or Facebook, wealth management companies can create an open line of communication with the Millenials that desperately need their services and give them the instant access they want to sound financial advice. By giving your company a voice through social media, you make wealth management services more accessible to those who truly need it. This process builds the trust that wealth managers need to help clients reach their financial goals.

Social Media Analysis

The other benefit to using social media as a wealth management marketing platform is the ability to see real time analytic data. All social media platforms provide you with the ability to reach out to new demographics. They also allow you to see how well your marketing efforts are doing. Wealth managers can quickly see which demographics are responding to what content and allowing them to capitalize on those efforts while tweaking others. In addition, wealth managers can see what financial topics are trending in their own communities and contribute valuable information on those topics, allowing them to continue to establish their authority in the financial world and attract new business.

Savvy wealth managers can also use social media to track which demographics are the strongest within their communities and then develop targeted content based around specific milestones. For example, young professionals might be ready to begin investing for their financial futures and might have questions about starting a 401k or IRA. By getting out in front of those questions, you can position yourself as the leading authority and potentially land new business.

There is no doubt that there are risks in wealth management marketing on social media platforms. However, the risks of becoming obsolete are also very real. By taking a managed approach to social media, wealth management companies can control many of the potential risks while reaping the benefits of this powerful wealth management marketing tool.

How The Services For Logo Design NYC Firms Provide Can Help You Avoid Common Logo Mistakes

The services for logo design NYC firms provide can help you avoid some of the top design mistakes. A lot of business owners have very clear visions for their logos, but lack the skills for polishing these images and rendering them correctly. Although the upfront costs of working with a professional service are certain to be a bit higher than handling this project on your own, the benefits of using one of these companies are more than the worth the investment.

Following Trends

There are a number of companies that make the mistake of following the latest design trends when creating their logos. This is one of the most important branding tools that you will ever have and thus, it needs to retain its value and efficacy throughout the years. Following a trend could leave you with a design that has to be altered or utterly changed within a very short period of time. More importantly, certain trends are only appealing to very specific demographics. As a result, using a trendy logo design could alienate a very considerable portion of your targeted market. By using the services for logo design NYC companies are offering, you can be sure to get a sophisticated image that will represent your business well, both now and in the future.

Failing To Consider The Psychological Impact That Logos Have On Viewers

Different aspects of your logo will convey important messages to the subconscious minds of viewers. For instance, certain color selections can make people think of honesty, strength and reliability. Other colors can have a much more negative connotation. This is also true of logo shapes, sizes and fonts among other things. By using trusted services for logo design NYC companies can secure graphics that deliver the perfect messages to their targeted markets.

Improper Formatting

Another major benefit in using the services for logo design NYC professionals are offering is the ability to get images that are properly formatted for all of your needs. Many companies that attempt to tackle projects like these on their own often run into problems when requesting marketing materials from printers or when attempting to place these graphics on their web pages or other online platforms. Your provider will submit your final, approved design in a variety of formats that are compatible with each of the platforms for all intended logo applications.

Poor Use Of Negative Space

Beyond creating an attractive logo that conveys the right messages about your business, you also have to think about the negative space around this image. This is a great opportunity to incorporate symbols that enhance the meaning of this graphic. It is also a chance for companies to mistakenly create basic, geometric symbols in negative space that are detrimental to the overall goals of the logo.

Copying The Logos Of Successful Companies

One the greatest benefits of working with the services for logo design NYC businesses have access to is the ability to get a unique image that is wholly representative of the attributes and goals of your company. When businesses throughout the world rely on the same basic design software to create their own logos in-house, there will inevitably be a number of striking similarities among these images. Part of creating a recognizable brand is having an original logo that makes you stand out from your competitors. Having qualified graphic design professionals on your team is the best way to get this.